Academic Staff

Biography

I am Karzan Othman Dawd, and I hold a Bachelor's degree which I received at Koya University in 2013 in English Translation. Later in 2020, I got Master's degree at the same University in English Language and Linguistics.

From 2013 to 2017, I went through profound experiences working as a translator and interpreter with a group of teachers from Kaplan International Languages Company. Moreover, I was the co-founder of the Translation Unit at Koya University translating almost all university-related stuff.

In 2014, we established the Behar English Language Centre (BELC), where I held the position of Course Coordinator for the English Language Courses and served for 3 successive years there.

After achieving my Master's degree and completing the Pedagogy course, I was promoted to Assistant Lecturer and started teaching at the English Department/ Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences/ Koya University.

On 19/02/2023, my service was formally transferred from Koya University to Raparin University. Since then, I have been proudly an Assistant Lecturer at the English Department at the Faculty of Basic Education, and Course Coordinator at the Directorate of Language and Development Centre.

Philosophy of Teaching

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that language learning is most effective when students actively engage with meaningful communication in a supportive and student-centered environment. As a lecturer of General English at the Language and Development Center (LDC), University of Raparin, I view language not merely as a subject to be studied but as a practical tool that enables students to participate successfully in academic, professional, and social contexts.

I want to create a classroom atmosphere that encourages participation, critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence-building. Recognizing that students come from diverse academic disciplines and possess varying levels of English proficiency, I employ a range of teaching strategies designed to address different learning needs and styles. Through communicative activities, pair and group work, problem-solving tasks, and guided discussions, I encourage students to use English purposefully and authentically.

My teaching approach is informed by principles of communicative language teaching and scaffolded learning. I believe that students learn most effectively when new knowledge is connected to their existing abilities and when appropriate support is provided to help them progress toward greater independence. Therefore, I aim to guide learners gradually from structured practice to autonomous language use while fostering responsibility for their own learning.

Assessment is an integral part of my teaching practice. I view assessment not only as a means of measuring achievement but also as an opportunity to provide constructive feedback that supports continuous improvement. By monitoring student progress and responding to their individual needs, I seek to help learners develop both linguistic competence and self-confidence.

I am committed to continuous professional development and reflective practice. As an educator, I regularly evaluate my teaching methods, explore innovative instructional approaches, and integrate appropriate educational technologies to enhance learning outcomes. My ultimate goal is to empower students with the language skills, critical thinking abilities, and lifelong learning habits necessary for success in an increasingly interconnected world.